Carton erecting and closing machine



R. H. STOHLQUIST CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 9, 1965 Filed June 22, 1962 Nov. 9, 1965 R. H. s'roHLQuxsT CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Shea?l 2 F'iled June 22, 1962 Nov. 9, 1965 R. H. s'roHLQulsT 3,216,175

CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE liled June 22, 1962 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 .mmm

Nov. 9, 1965 R. H. sToHLQulsT CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE 1l Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 22, 1962 m wwwmwwwmw .1..

|L/ m m 4/ R. H. STOHLQUIST CARTON ERECTINC AND CLOSING MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 9, 1965 Filed June 22, 1962 Nov. 9, 1965 R. H. sToHLQUlsT CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE 1l Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 22, 1962 /l Il Nov. 9, 1965 R. H. sToHLQUlsT CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed June 22, 1962 mmm im, vom.

Nov. 9, 1965 R. H. sToHLQUxsT 3,216,175

CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1962 ll 'sheets-sheet s 3 u 36 (o 32 28 82a), 284 76 uab qeb 13b "5 155 247 HHN NOV- 9, 1965 R. H. sToHLQulsT 3,216,175

CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 22. 1962 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Nov. 9, 1965 R. H. sroHLQuls'r CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1962 1l Sheets-Sheet l0 Nov. 9, 1965 R. H. sToHLQUlsT 3,26175 CARTON ERECTING AND CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1962 1l Sheets-Sheet 11 United States Patent O 3,216,175 CARTON ERECTNG AND CLOSING MACHHNE Roger H. Stohlquist, Rockford, lll., assignor to Anderson Bros. Mfg. Co., Rockford, ill., a corporation of illinois Filed .lune 22, 1962, Ser. No. 204,322 26 Claims. (Cl. 531-186) This invention relates to a packaging machine and particularly to a machine which will automatically strip a flattened carton from a stack; open and erect the attened carton; advance the carton past a lling station to a discharge station; and fold the flaps on the top and bottom ends of the carton as it is advanced through the machine to close the carton.

An important object of this invention is to provide a packing machine which is adapted to handle cartons of widely different size and particularly cartons of different height as well as cartons of different cross-sectional dimension.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine for erecting and folding cartons of different height, and in which the carton transfer means for advancing cartons through the packaging machine has upper and lower sets of container engaging fingers which are adjustable in accordance with the different size cartons to maintain the upper and lower carton engaging fingers respectively adjacent the upper and lower edges of the carton.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine which is adjustable while the machine is in operation to facilitate ne adjustment of the machine to the cartons under actual operating conditions and to also accommodate minor variations in the size of different batches of cartons.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine for erecting attened cartons and for folding and gluing the carton flaps which is adjustable to accommodate cartons of different height, and which has a carton compressor for compressing the ends of the carton after the aps have been glued and closed to effect a seal, and which carton compressor is also adjustable with the packaging machine to handle different size cartons.

A further object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine for erecting and folding flattened cartons having an improved apparatus for supporting the stack of attened cartons and for advancing the flattened cartons to a carton stripping apparatus and wherein the stack supporting and advancing apparatus is arranged to facilitate loading of the flattened cartons into the machine and to continue feeding of the cartons during the loading operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine for erecting and folding flattened cartons wherein the apparatus for supporting and feeding flattened cartons to the carton stripping apparatus is readily adjustable to accommodate attened cartons of different size and having closure flaps of different size and shape.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine for erecting and folding flattened cartons and which has an improved apparatus for folding the trailing ap on the carton as the carton is advanced through the packaging machine.

An important feature of the packaging machine resides in the provision of a carton support means which is mounted for vertical adjustment to accommodate cartons of different height and a main transfer means having upper and lower sets of carton engaging fingers for advancing containers along the support means, together 3,Zl6,l Patented Nov. 9, 1965 with means engageable with the lower set of carton engaging fingers for vertically adjusting' the lower set relative to the upper set while permitting movement of the transfer means in a direction longitudinally of the carton support.

Another feature of the packaging machine resides in the provision of a cross transfer means on the packaging machine for moving cartons off the carton support means and which cross transfer means has upper and lower carton engaging arms and means operatively connected to the lower arm for vertically adjusting the lower arm relative to the upper arm as the carton support means of the machine is vertically adjusted for different size cartons.

Still another feature of the packaging machine resides in the provision of a carton compressor having upper and lower conveyors for compressing the cartons as they are moved olf the carton support means to seal the cartons and in which the lower conveyor of the carton cornpressor is vertically adjustable with the carton support means of the packaging machine to accommodate cartons of different height.

Still another feature of the packaging machine resides in the provision of an improved drive for the compressor conveyors to drive the upper and lower conveyors in unison in all adjusted positions thereof.

A further feature of the packaging machine resides in the provision of a carton transfer means in the form of spaced slides mounted for reciprocation on laterally adjustable frame sections to accommodate cartons of different widths, and a means for reciprocating the slides in unison in all laterally adjusted positions of the frame sections.

Yet another feature of the packaging machines resides in the provision of a folding mechanism for the trailing ap on the carton and which folding mechanism is movable with the main transfer means to fold the trailing ap on the carton while the carton is moving through the machine.

A still further feature resides in the provision of means for automatically shifting the flap folding mechanism out of the path of movement of the cartons during retraction of the transfer means to avoid obstructing movement of the cartons through the machine.

An additional feature of the packaging machine resides in the provision of an apparatus for supporting a stack of flattened cartons adjacent one end of the main transfer means and which has a main feed plate engageable with the stack of cartons for feeding the same to a carton stripping mechanism on the transfer means, and an auxiliary feed plate which is detachable from the main feed plate and engageable with the stack of flattened cartons to continue feeding of the cartons when the main feed plate is retracted for reloading.

Another feature resides in the provision of an apparatus for supporting and feeding a `stack of flattened cartons to the carton stripper on the transfer means, and which stack feed apparatus has an improved arrangement for supporting the carton flaps as they are advanced to the stripper mechanism.

These, together with other objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURES la and 1b are respectively right and left parts of a top plan view of the packaging machine, with parts broken away to illustrate details of construction;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are respectively right and left parts of a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the packaging machine;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are respectively right and left parts FIGS. 4a and 4b are respectively right and left parts of i a longitudinal sectional view taken on the plane 4-4-4 of FIGS. la and 1b;

FIG. 5 i-s a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken Ion the plane 4--4 0f FIG 1b, with parts broken away to illustrate `details of construction;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the inlet end of the packaging machine;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the plane 7-7 ofFIG. 1a;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transver-se sectional view taken on the plane 8 8 of FIG. La;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the ,plane 9-9 of FIG. lb;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane 10--10 of FIG. 1b;

FIG. 1l is a perspective view of the carton erecting, supporting and folding'a-pparatus;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional View on the plane 12-1'2 of FIG. la;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view taken on the plane 13-13 of FIG. la;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane 141-14V of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of the outlet end of the packaging machine with parts of the housing broken away to illustrate details of construction;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken -on the plane 16-16 of FIG. 15

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view through the carton compressor unit taken on the plane 17-1'7 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the carton compressor unit taken on the plane 18-18 of FIG. 16 and illustrating the `drive therefor;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary View taken on the plane 19-19 of FIG. 16 illustrating the height gauge for the compressor unit.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of the trailing ap folding mechanism as viewed from above;

FIG. l21 is afragmentary perspective vie'wof the rear flap folding mechanism, as viewed from below; and

FIG. 22 is a view ofknocked down carton of the type adapted to be erected, folded and sealed by the packaging machine.

The packaging machine of lthe present invention is `specifically designed for packaging articles such as confection bars, it being understood that the machine is adapted for packaging different articles and may also be adapted for packaging uent products'when suitable cartons are employed. The packaging machine in general includes a main frame section 31 Aextending lengthwise of the machine; la laterally adjustable frame section 32, herein sometimes referred to as a front frame section, mounted for movement toward and 'away from the main frame section to accommodate cartons of different cross sections; a carton support 33 mounted on the frame sections for vertical adjustment relative thereto to support cartons of different height; a main transfer apparatus 34 mounted on the frame sections for advancing cartons along the support; a .stack support apparatus 35 at the inlet of the packaging machine for supporting a stack of knocked down -cartons and for feeding the cartons to the main transfer apparatus; a carton opening and erecting apparatus'36; .a sealing apparatus 37; an outlet transfer apparatus 39 adjacent the 'outlet end of the machine for moving cartons off the carton support; and a carton compressor 40 -at the outlet end of the packaging machine for compressing the ends of the carton to hold the flaps iirmly closed until they are sealed. A drive apparatus 41 is mounted on the Imain frame section for driving the packaging machine, and a compressor drive mechanism 42 is provided for driving the conveyors of the compressor unit.

The packaging machine is arranged to erect, fold and close cartons of the type shown in attened condition in FIG. 22. The machine is adapted to handle cartons of widely `different height, width and length. The cartons in general include side walls designated a and b interconnected along fold lines by lead and trailing end walls c and d. The `side wall a has upper and lower side closure flaps e and j and the side wall b has upper and lower ilaps g and h. The lead end wall c has upper and lower lead flaps k and m, and the trailing end wall has upper and lower trailing flaps 0 and p. The machine is arranged to handle cartons of widely different size and the size and relative proportion of the Various walls can be modified as desired. In addition, the proportions of the flaps on the end walls can also be modified.

The frame The frame of the packing machine is best shown in FIGS. la-lb, 3er-3b, and 4a-4b. The main frame 31 may be of any suitable construction, and, as shown, includes a generally upright main frame panel 45 that extends lengthwise of the machine at one side thereof. A base housing is attached to the main frame panel 45 at one end and extends forwardly therefrom, which base housing includes spaced side walls 47, a top wall 48 and a forward end wall 49 to enclose the packing machine drive mechanism 41. The main frame also includes an end housing at the other end of the main frame panel 45, which end housing has a rear extension panel 51l attached to the main frame panel 45 and forming an extension thereof; and end panel 52 attached to the extension panel 51 a front panel 53 at the forward end of the end panel, and an intermediate panel 54 which extends between the front panel 53 and the main frame panel 45. The rear extension panel 51 has an outlet opening 55 (FIG. 3b) adjacent its upper end to permit lateral discharge of thecartons as described hereinafter, and the intermediateV panel 54 has the upper and forward portion cut away at 56 as shown in FIG. 15, to provide clearance for the main transfer apparatus 34.

The adjustable frame section 32 is supported for movement toward and away from the main frame section 31 and includes an adjustable frame panel 58 which extends longitudinally of the machine at the front side thereof. One suitable arrangement for adjustably supporting the frame section 32 on the main frame section is shown in the drawings and includes shafts 61 and 62 which extend between the frame sections adjacent relatively opposite ends. As best shown in FIG. 7, the shaft 61 is rotatably suported by a bearing bracket 63.0n the main frame panel 45 and rotatably extends through a bearing bracket 64 on the adjustable frame panel 5S. The forward end of the shaft 61 is rotatably supported by means of a bracket 65 on the base housing, as best shown in FIG. 13. The other shaft 62 is rotatably supported in a bearing bracket 66 on the main frame panel 51 (FIGS. 3b and 8) and extends forwardly through a bearing bracket 67 secured to the adjustable frame panel 58 (FIGS. 4a, 5 and 9). The forward end of the shaft 62 is rotatably supported in a bearing 68 on the front panel 53 of the end housing (see FIG. 2b). Thus, the shafts 61 and 62 are supported at their rear ends on the main frame panel 45 and are respectively supported at their forward ends by the bracket 65 and the bearing 68 on the base housing and the end housing respectively. The adjustable frame section 32 is slidably supported by bearing brackets 64 and 67 on the shafts 61 and 62 intermediate their ends for movement toward and away from the main frame section. Positive and accurate lateral adjustment of the adjustable frame section 32 is conveniently achieved by a pair of screws 71 and 72 which are nonslidably but rotatably attached to the adjustable frame panel 5S and which engage internally threaded followers '74 and 75 secured to the main frame panel 45. rlChe screws 71 and 72 are advantageously turned in unison to simultaneously adjust both ends of the adjustable frame 32 and for this purpose have sprockets 76 and 77 thereon which are interconnected by a chain 78 (see FIGS. 4a and 4b). A crank wheel 79 or the like is attached to one of the shafts such as 71 to enable manual rotation of the same. As is apparent from FIG. la, the sprocket 76 and crank wheel 79 are conveniently arranged to engage opposite sides of the panel 58 to non-slidably but rotatably connect the screw 71 to the adjustable frame section and, as shown in FIG. 1b, the sprocket 77 and cap screw 80 cooperate to non-slidably connect the screw 72 to that panel.

Main transfer apparatus As best shown in FIGS. 7-10, the frame panels 45 and 58 are conveniently formed with inwardly extending shelves designated 81 and 82 respectively. The shelves overlie and enclose the main transfer apparatus 34 and the edges of the shelves are disposed in relatively parallel opposed relation to define upper carton guides 81a and 82a for laterally guiding the carton as it is moved through the packaging machine. The main transfer apparatus 34 is advantageously of the reciprocable type which advances the cartons in stepped fashion through the machine. As shown, the transfer apparatus 34 includes slide plates 83 and 84 which are respectively mounted on the frame 31 and the adjustable frame 32 as by upper and lower grooved guides 85 and 86. The slide plate 83 has upper and lower carton stripping elements 91a and 9111 adjacent one end, and a plurality of carton engaging fingers at spaced points therealong. As shown herein, three pair of carton engaging fingers are provided and include upper and lower carton engaging fingers 92a, 92h; 93a, 93h; and 94a, 94h. The slide plate 84 includes upper and lower carton pusher elements 95a and 95]: aligned crosswise of the machine with fingers 92a, 92h, and upper and lower carton engaging fingers 96a, 96h and 97a, 97b which are respectively aligned with fingers 93a, 93h and 94a, 94h. As best shown in FIG. 2a, the fingers 92a and 92h are each pivotally mounted on blocks 98 attached to the slide plate 83 and are yieldably urged to a position extending outwardly and forwardly into the path of movement of the cartons by means of a spring 99. The stripper elements 91a and 911) are mounted on bars 100 conveniently secured to the blocks 98. As will be noted, the stripper elements 91a and 91h have stepped faces 101 and 102 which are offset from each other a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a flattened carton to define a shoulder 103. The face 102 is arranged to engage the end carton in a stack so that the shoulder 103V engages the trailing edge of the carton to move the same off the stack with the face 101 engaging the next succeeding carton. The trailing ends 104 of the stripper elements are inclined away from the face of the carton stack to guide the stripper element over the stack during retraction of the slide. As best shown in FIGS. 1a and 2a, the stripper elements 91a and 91h are advantageously resiliently mounted on the bars 100 for limited movement laterally thereof, and for this purpose springs 105 are interposed between the stripper elements and the bars to yieldably urge the stripper elements laterally away from the bars and headed screws 106 are provided to guidably support the stripper elements and to limit outward movement of the stripper elements away from the bars.

The packing machine is intended for use with cartons of different height and, in accordance with the present invention, the upper and lower carton enga-ging fingers are arranged for vertical adjustment relative to each other to accommodate cartons of different height. As previously described, the carton engaging fingers 92a and 92b are mounted on upper and lower blocks 98. The upper block 98 is fixedly secured to the slide plate 83 adjacent its upper edge. The lower block 98 is attached to a -rail 108 that extends along the front face of the slide plate 83. The

rail is mounted on the slide plate for vertical adjustment relative thereto, as by pins 109 which are attached to the rail at spaced points therealong and which guidably project through vertically extending slot-s 110 in the slide plate. The pins have heads or anges at `their outer ends which engage the rear face yof the plate 83 to guidably support the `rail. For reasons described hereinafter, an L-shaped strip 111 is attached to the rail for movement therewith, to define a trackway with ythe underside of the rail, las is lclearly shown in FIGS. 7-9. The upper pusher fin-gers 94a and 95a are similarly mounted at fixed points along the upper edge of the slide plate 83, as by brackets 1130i and the lowe-r carton engaging fingers 94b and 951) are mounted on the rail 108, as by brackets 113b. The other lslide plate 84 is .similarly provided with a vertically adjustable rail 114 which is mounted by pins 115 in vertically extending slots 116 formed in the side plate 84. An L-shaped strip 117 is attached Ito the rail 114 to form a trackway at the underside of the rail. The upper carton pusher element 95a is attached to the slide plate 84 adjacent its upper ends and the upper carton engaging fingers 96a and 97a are ysimilarly mounted at fixed points along the slide plate by brackets 118e and 11951. The lower carton pushing element 95h, and the lower carton engaging fingers 96h and 9713 are mounted on the rail 114 as by brackets 11811 and 119b. rThe carton engaging fingers may be of any suitable construction which will yieldably project the fingers into the -path of movement of the cartons as the slides are extended, to advance the cartons, and which will automatically retract the fingers as the slides are retracted. As shown, the fingers have a U-shaped cross-section and are pivotly mounted as by a pin 120 intermediate their ends. A spring 121 is arranged to urge the nose portion on the lead end of the fingers into the path of movement of the cartons to advance the cartons as the slides are extended. During retraction of the slides, the fingers are cammed outwardly against the bias of the springs 121 by engagement with the next succeeding carton to pass Itherearound.

The slide plates S3 and 84 are arranged to be extended and retracted in unison with each other. Since `the side frames and t-he slides 83 and 84 carried thereby are laterally adjustable relative to each other -to accommodate cartons of different cross-section, -the slides are interconnected by brackets 123 and 124 attached to the slide plates 83 and 84 and which brackets have relatively telescoping portions 125 and 126 to accommodate lateral movement of the slides. Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the `slides and, as shown, the slides are connected through a link 127 to an arm 128 pivotally attached by a bracket 129 (FIG. 3b) `on the main frame panel 45. The arm is connected by a link 130 to a crank 131. The crank is driven by a Imotor 132 through a speed reducer 133 and may be operated continuously if desired, or through a one-revolution clutch `such as 134 controlled either manually or through an automatic cycle control.

The carton suppor-t means 33 is mounted on the frame sections 31 and 32 for vertical adjustment relative thereto to accommodate cartons of differ-ent height, and is also arranged to accommodate the lateral adjustment of the frame sections relative to each other. The carton support means 33 includes a first channel `shaped member 138 which is mounted as by Ispaced rack bars 139 and 140 on the brackets 63 and 66 carried by the main frame panel 45. A second channel shaped member 142 is attached as by spaced rack bars 143 and 144 to the brackets 64 and 67 carried by the front side panel 58. Gear teeth are formed on the shafts 61 and 62 and mesh with the rack bar-s 139, 140, 143 and 144 to raise and lower the channels as the shafts are rotated. The gear teeth have a sliding fi-t with the forward rack bars 143 and 144 to accommodate adjustment of the frame sections relative to each other, and the shafts are rotated in unison as by sprockets 148 and 149 on the shafts 61 and 62, and a chain 150 which interconnects the same. A crank wheel 151 is attached to the outer end of the shaft 61 to rotate the same and the shaft 61 preferably extends through a split bearing 65a (FIG. 13) on the bracket 65 to enable locking of the shaft against rotation as by a knob 152. Guide strips 154 and 155 are attached to the upper legs of the channels 138 and 142 and are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing between -the guide edges 81a and 82a on shelves 81 and 82 to provide lateral guides :for the lower ends of the cartons. The lower carton engaging fingers and the lower stripper bar carried by the rail-s 108 and 114 are adjusted in unison wit-h the carton support means 33 to maintain the fingers at a level adjacent the lower ends of the cartons. As best shown in FIGS. 7-9, this is achieved by rollers 156 and 157 `carried by the channel members 138 and 142 respectively, and which rollers engage the trackways formed at the underside of the rails 108 and 114 respectively. With this arrangement, the channels 138 and 142 `of the carton support means can be selectively elevated and lowered and will simultaneously raise and lower the sets vof carton engaging lingers without impeding the reciprocation of the fingers with the slide, and even While the slide is in operation. This enables ne adjustment of the packaging machine to the cartons under actual operating conditions and also enables adjustment to accommodate minor variations in the size -of different batches of cartons. As will be noted from FIGS. 7-9, the lower legs Iof the channels 138 and 142 ar-e vertically offset a short distance so as to overlap when the side frames are adjusted into closely spaced relation. The lower legs are arranged to support the lower carton erecting mechanism and lthe lower carton supporting and flap folding shoes, to be described hereinafter.

Stack supporting apparatus The apparatus 35 for supporting the stack of flattened cartons and for feeding the same to the stripper mechanism on the transfer means is located adjacent the inlet end of the machine. This apparatus includes a generally horizontally disposed platform 160 of generally trapezoidal configuration, and which has a vertically disposed plate 161 disposed along one side. The stack of flattened cartons is adapted to be supported on the platform 160 with the leading edges L engaging the plate 161 so that the trailing edges T (FIG. 22) of the cartons are staggered slightly relative to each other to facilitate stripping of the cartons off the stack, one at a time. The stack supporting apparatus is made vertically adjustable to accommodate cartons of `different height. One suitable arrangement is illustrated in the drawings and includes blocks 163 and 164 attached to the platform 160 and slidably supported on the upright rods 165 and 166 mounted on the base housing. The plate 161 is also conveniently formed with a guide block 167 (FIG. 3a) which is slidably supported -on the rod 165 to aid in vertically guiding the plate. Positive adjustment of the elevation of the support platform 160 is achieved by a shaft 168 which is rotatably supported in the blocks 163 and 164 and which has gear teeth thereon which mesh with rack teeth formed on the shafts 165 and 166 to thereby raise and lower the platform as the shaft is rotated. A handwheel 17) is provided on the shaft for raising and lowering the platform and a lock means such as the screv.r 171 is provided to lock the shaft and the platform in its adjusted position.

The stack of flattened cartons are advanced along the platform 160 to the stripper by means of a feed plate 173 which is guidably supported on a frame 174. While the -frame may be of any suitable construction, it is conveniently formed of spaced end posts and 176 (FIG. 12) having an upper guide bar 177 and a lower guide rod 178 extending therebetween. Bolts 179 and 180 are threadedly connected to extend from the posts 175 and 176 downwardly alongside opposite edges of the platform 160. The platform 160 has downwardly extending flanges 161m and a strap 181 is notched to slidably en-I gage the flanges at the front and rear of the platform. The strap is mounted on the lower ends of the bolts 179 and 180 and is adapted to guide the frame 174 on the platform for adjustment toward and away from the plate 161 and to lock the frame in its adjusted position when the bolts are tightened. Knobs 182 are conveniently provided on the bolts to facilitate tightening and loosening the same. A pointer or index marker 183 (FIG. 3a) may be provided on the frame 174 to cooperate with a scale 184 on the platform 160, to facilitate adjustment of the frame for different size cartons.

The feed plate 173 has a mounting portion 173g which is angulated with respect to the face of the feed plate and parallels the frame 174. This angulated portion 173a has a follower 186 which is slidably supported on the guide rod 178, and the angulated portion is adapted to move parallel to the bar 177 as the feed plate moves along the frame. A roller 199 is mounted on the feed plate 173 and engages the platform to support the feed plate as it moves across the platform. The feed plate 173 is yieldably urged in a direction to advance the carton to the stripper. One suitable arrangement is best illustrated in FlGS. 3a and 12 and includes a spring 188 advantageously located at the underside of the platform 16() with one end attached to a pin 189 on the strap 181. A pulley 198 mounted on a case 191 is attached to the other end of the spring 188 and the pulley is operatively connected through a cable 192 to the plate 173. As shown, the cable 192 extends Iover an idler pulley 193 on the end bracket 176 of the frame and through a luft tackle arrangement including the double pulleys 194 and 195 and the ,single pulley 198. The pulleys 194 and 195 are mounted by a bracket 196 on the strap 181 and the cable is entrained over these pulleys and is terminally attached to the pulley case 191. This arrangement allows the long travel of the slide 173 necessary to accommodate a large stack of flattened cartons, while enabling the use of a relatively short spring 188.

In order to avoid interruption of the feed of the cartons to the machine, when replenishing the stack of cartons in advance of the feed plate 173, the end of the cable 192 is attached to an auxiliary feed hook 197. This auxiliary feed hook has an angulated portion 19711 adapted to engage the stack of cartons to advance the same. The portion 197a can also be hooked on the Aend of the portion 173m of the main feed plate 173 as shown in FIG. 2a after the stack of cartons have been placed in front of the feed plate, to thereby urge the main feed plate against the stack of cartons to advance the same. Vhen replenishing the stack of cartons, the feed hook can be detached from the portion 173a and moved through an opening 198 in the main feed plate into direct engagement with the last carton in the stack to advance the stack toward the strippers 91a and 9111. The main feed plate can then be retracted away from the stack as shown in FIG. la to enable introduction of an additional batch of cartons in advance of the plate 173. The plate 173 is then manually advanced until the new batch of cartons engages the stack and the hook is then moved back to the position shown in FIGS. 2a and 3a to urge the plate in a direction to advance the stack of cartons.

O11 certain cartons, particularly those having long end flaps, difficulties have been encountered due to the tendency of the lower end flaps to drag against the support platform as the stack i-s moved therealong. This shifts the lower end flaps out of the plane of the body of the ca1ton and impairs proper feeding and strip-ping of the cartons off the end of the stack. In `order to overcome these problems, a cable type support is advantageously provided on the platform 160 to engage the lower end flaps. This support is arranged so that the cable moves with the main feed plate 173 to advance the lower end flaps with the body of the carton. In addition, the cable support is arranged so as to be adjustable with the frame 177 to accommodate cartons of different size. The cable support is best shown in FIGS. la, 2a and 12 and includes single pulley wheels 203 and 204 mounted at the forward corners of the stack support platform 160, and pulleys 20S and 206 mounted by brackets 207 on the rear corners f the platform. Double pulleys 208 and 209 are mounted by a bracket 210 on the rear end of the strap 181 and a pulley 211 is mounted by a bracket 212 .on the forward end of the frame 174. A cable attaching bracket 214 is provided on the plate 173. The cable 215 is terminally attached to the bracket and extends over the several pulleys. As shown in FIG. 2a, the cable extends from bracket 214 forwardly over pulley 208, then to the right over pulley 205, then rearwardly t-o pulley 203, then to the left over pulley 204, then forwardly over pulley 206, then to the right to pulley 209 and rearwardly to pulley 211 and then forwardly to the bracket 214. With this arrangement, the portion of the cable between bracket 214 and pulley 208 and the portion lof the cable between pulleys 204 and 206 will both move in the same direction as the feed plate 173 and in unison therewith to aid in advancing the cartons. In addition, this arrangement is such that the total length of the `cable will remain the same while the frame 173 is adjusted laterally relative to the plate 161 so that the cable will remain taut in all positions of the frame. Alternatively, if only one cable support is required, the cable can be entrained from the bracket 214 over rear pulley 20S then directly over front pulley 211 and back to the bracket 214.

As previously described, the shoulder 103 on the stripper elements 91a and 91b engage the trailing edge of the flattened carton t-o move the end carton off the stack. In order to prevent feeding of more than one carton at a time, due to frictional lcontact between adjacent cartons, it is necessary to restrict the clearance at the leading edge of the stack so as to allow only a single carton to pass therethnough. This is conveniently achieved by adjusting at least a portion of the rear edge of the plate 161 relative to the carton guides 31a and 154 to provide a space therebetween sufficient to allow only single cartons to pass. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the plate 161 is slit at 217 and 218 to provide an intermediate portion 219 that can be deiiected out of the plane of the plate. A strap 220 is attached to the plate and an adjusting bolt 221 is threaded in the strap and engages the portion 219 to adjustably deect the same and thereby adjust the spacing between the rear edge of the plate and the carton guides.

Carton erecting and folding apparatus As the cartons are advanced along the machine, they are sequentially moved past the carton erecting apparatus 13, then past a filling station cz and past the sealing apparatus 37 to the carton compressor unit 39. tVhile different forms of carton erecting apparatus may be employed, the erecting apparatus 36 is advantageously of the type disclosed and claimed in my copending application filed August 1, 1962, Serial No. 214,082, entitled Method and Apparatus for Erecting Flattened Cartons now Patent No. 3,108,515. Reference is hereby made to the aforementioned application for a more complete description of the folding and erecting apparatus. In general, the apparatus includes upper and lower shoe assemblies 231 and 232 respectively which are so arranged as to open the carton and fold in the lead and trail ap on the lower end of the carton, as well as fold out the lead and trail ap on the upper end of the carton to facilitate loading of the carton at the filling or loading station. The lower shoe assembly 232 includes a guide plate 234 having a substantially straight upper edge disposed at the level of the lower edge of the rear side wall a of the carton and in close parallel relation to the side guide strip 154 on the main frame section 31. The shoe 234 is inclined in a direction crosswise of the packaging machine and extends downwardly and rearwardly from its upper edge as is clearly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and has a generally upright attaching portion 235. The nose portion 236 is shaped and angulated so as to engage the lower rear closure flap f on the carton and deiiect the same to the rear side of the guide shoe 234. A second guide shoe 237 is disposed below the guide shoe 234 and is also inclined downwardly and outwardly as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The shoe 237 also has an upright attaching portion 238 conveniently formed integrally with a horizontally disposed plate 239 which is supported on the lower leg of the channel 138. The nose portion 241 on the shoe 237 extends into engagement with the lower lead Hap m on the end carton in the stack of cartons carried by the platform 160, and is so shaped as to guide the lead flap on the carton to the front side of the shoe 237 while guiding the trailing flap to the rear side of that shoe so that the trailing ap underlies the shoe 234 and overlies the shoe 237. Since the lower lead and trail aps m and p are disposed at the front side of the guide shoe 234 while the rear ap f is disposed at the rear side of the guide shoe, it will be seen that the rear side wall a of the carton is laterally guided and vertically supported on the upper edge of the shoe 234 for movement along a path paralleling the side guide 154.

A forward erecting shoe 244 is disposed at the front side of the shoe 237. The erecting shoe 244 has a portion 245 which diverges in the direction of movement of the cartons relative to the shoe 234. The upper edge of this portion is shaped and arranged to guide the lower front ap h of the carton to the front side of the erecting shoe, so that the shoe 244 shifts the front wall b of the carton laterally away from the rea-r wall a to open the same. The upper edge of the erecting rshoe 244 is generally disposed at the level of the lower edge of the front wall b of the carton so that the erecting shoe also vertic-ally supports the front wall of the carton as it is advanced therealong. The erecting shoe 244 has a curved portion 247 at its trailing end which diverges away from the shoe 234 and produces a rapid final opening movement of the carton. The erecting shoe 244 is conveniently mounted on a flange 24S formed integrally with the mounting plate 239, as is clearly shown in FIG. 11. Thus, as the carton is moved along the lower shoe assembly 232, the lower rear flap f on the carton overlies the rear side of the shoe 234 and is guided thereby while the lower front flap h overlies the front side of the shoe 244 and is guided thereby. The shoes 234 and 244 diverge relative to each other so as to open the carton. The trailing ap p on the carton is guided between shoes 234 and 237 and is deected at an angle to the trailing wall d of the carton. As the carton is opened, the trailing flap p is maintained at an angle to the trailing wall d of the carton so as to extend inwardly of the carton, as shown in FIG. 11. A cross shoe 249 extends crosswise at an angle between the shoes 234 and the shoe 247 adjacent the end thereof and engages the lower lead ap m on the carton to fold the same inwardly as the carton is moved therepast. Thus, as the carton leaves the erecting apparatus 36, the carton is opened and erected and the lower lead and trail flaps m and p on the carton are folded inwardly, while the opposite side aps h and y extend downward (as shown in FIG. 11).

In order to simplify the folding and sealing operations, the lower side iaps on the carton are not folded and sealed until after the container has moved past the loading station. The carton supports 33 underlie and support the carton and also form .a temporary closure for the partially closed bottom of the carton, as the carton is moved past the loading station. Since the carton supports effectively close the bottom during loading, it will be seen that relatively short lower lead and trail flaps m and p can be used without danger of the articles dropping through the bottom as the carton is moved through the machine. The carton supports include first and second generally U-shaped channel members 252 and 253 which are respectively supported on the channel shaped supports 142 and 138. The upper panels 25201 and 253a of the supports are slightly vertically offset as shown in FIG. 9 to permit overlapping of the upper panels when the side frames are adjusted into closely spaced relation. As will be noted, from FIG. 11, the upper panels 252a and 25311 form a closure for the partially closed bottom of the carton while the carton is at the loading station and the support 252 has laterally and downwardly inclined guide portions 256 and 257 respectively which engage and guide the lower front flap h of the carton inwardly and upwardly as the carton is moved therepast. The other channel 253 has a cut-out 25S to accommodate the downwardly inclined guide 257, when the 4side frames are adjusted into closely spaced relation. The supports 252 and 253 Vare also preferably cut-out as indicated at 259 and 260 to provide clearance for the adhesive applicators described hereinafter. A rear ap guide 261 is attached to the channel support 138 to guide the rear flap inwardly over the face of a panel 262. The upper edge 263 of the panel is curved adjacent the outlet end of the machine to form a smooth guide for guiding the lower rear carton flap f into its folded position, as the carton is moved laterally olf the supports 33.

The upper carton erecting shoe 231 is arranged to assist in opening the upper end of the carton and to fold the side and end flaps on the upper end of the carton outwardly to facilitate loading of the carton. The upper shoe 231 includes an upwardly and rearwardly extending panel 271 which is mounted by a bracket 272 on the main frame panel 45 :of the machine. A rear guide shoe 273 is attached to the underside of the panel 271 and has its lower edge paralleling the upper carton guide 81a on the shelf 81. A nose 274 is formed on the rear guide shoe 273 to guide the upper side ap e laterally to the rear or underside of the panel 271. An opening shoe 276 is attached to the front side of the panel and has the lowerportion spaced from the shoe 273 as shown in FIG. 8 to form an upwardly land rearwardly diverging flap guide channel therebetween. The shoe 276 has a generally horizontally disposed porti-on 277 along its lower edge and this horizontally disposed portion has its edge arranged to diverge, as Viewed in plan (see FIG. la), relative to the lower edge of the shoe 273, to open the upper end of the carton. A curved portion 278 is provided at the end of the shoe 276 and corresponds to the curved portion 247 on the lower shoe to open the upper end of the carton. Nose portions 280 and 281 are formed on the panel 271 and on the opening shoe 276 to guide the lead and trail flaps k and on the upper end of the carton to the channel between the shoes 276 and 273. Since the lead flap on the upper end of the carton is deflected laterally to-ward the rear side of the machine, the lead flap will extend forwardly when the cart-on is opened. The trailing ap on the upper end of the carton will also initially project forwardly as the carton is erected. However, a cross flap folding guide 284 is provided at the end of the shoe 276 and is positioned and shaped to engage the upper trailing ap o to fold the trailing flap outwardly as it moves past the guide 284, to thereby open the top of the carton to facilitate loading at the filling station. The side liaps g and e on the upper end of the carton are guided below retainer shoes 286 and 287 located at the filling station above the shelves 81 and 82 to thereby hold the side flaps outwardly during lling of the carton. The flap retainer shoe 286 is preferably extended as indicated at 288 along the shelf 82 to a point adjacent the outlet end of the machine, to hold the upper side ap g in an outwardly extending position in which it does not interfere with the closing of the lead and trail flaps k and o.

As the cartons are advanced from the lling station to the compressor unit 39, the upper lead ap k is folded inwardly by a shoe 289 and the side flap g is folded by a plate 290, the edge 290a o-f which is inclined in a direction crosswise of the conveyors toward the outlet.

The other upper side flap e is guided upwardly by a guide plate 292 to the front side of a generally upright plate 293 and to the rear of a guide shoe 297. As shown in FIG. 10, the lower edge of the plate 293 is curved inwardly at 296 above the outlet opening to guidably fold the upper rear flap e downwardly as the carton is moved crosswise of the conveyor to the outlet opening.

The flaps on the cartons are advantageously sealed by an adhesive, it being understood that the cartons could alternately be of the type having self locking aps or flaps precoated with a pressure or heat sensitive adhesive. In the embodiment illustrated, upper and lower adhesive applying heads 294 and 295 are provided adjacent plates 293 and 262 respectively. The heads are conveniently mounted for vertical adjustment on rods 29S and 299, to enable adjustment of the heads for different size carton flaps. As will be seen from FIGS. 1b, 3b and 15, the heads are positioned at the front sides of the plates 293 and 262 and are spa-ced slightly therefrom to allow the carton flaps e and f to pass between the heads and the respective plates so that the adhesive is applied to the inner faces of the carton flaps. The heads operate as the cartons move past to apply adhesive in a strip or band to the inner faces of the flaps e and f. For cartons of the type shown in FIG. 22, the heads are preferably adjusted on the rods 298 and 299 so as tolposition the strip or band of adhesive adjacent the upper 'and lower edges of the flaps e and f respectively. Any suitable apparatus (not shown) may be provided for feeding adhesive to the heads.

An apparatus best shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, is provided for folding the upper trailing flap forwardly as the carton is advanced along the machine. This apparatus is mounted on the slide plate 84 for movement therewith and includes a flap engaging finger 301 having a shaft portion 302 mounted in a bracket 303 on the slide 84, for turning movement about an axis transverse to the slide. As shown, the linger is mounted adjacent the nose portion on the upper carton engaging finger 97a so as to engage and fold the trailing-ap on the carton being advanced by the finger 97a.

The finger is normally retracted as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 and is swung upwardly and forwardly to fold the upper trailing flap o as the slide 83 is extended. For this purpose, a pinion 304 is fixed to the shaft 302 and, for reasons set forth hereinafter, has a groove 305 formed in the periphery thereof. A gear 306 is mounted by a pin 307 on the slide 84 and meshes with the pinion 304. A cam follower 309 is attached to the gear 306 at a point eccentrically thereof and extends through an opening 310 in the slide 84. A .spring 311 has one end connected to the gear, through a flexible connector such as a chain 313, and the other end attached to the slide as by a pin 314 (FIG. 4a), to yieldably urge the flap folding finger 301 forwardly in a direction to fold the trailing flap on the carton. The cam follower 309 projects into engagement with a cam track 315 attached to the side panel 58, and which lcam controls rotation of the gear 306 and flap folding finger 301. As best shown in FIGS. 4a and 5, the cam track has dwell portions 316 and 317 adjacent opposite ends and a well 318 intermediate the ends thereof. When the slide is retracted, as shown in FIG. 4a, the follower 309 engages the dwell .portion 316 to swing the finger to its normal position shown in FIG. 4a. As the slide moves forwardly, the follower 309 rides into the well 318 to allow the finger to swing forwardly and, before the slide reaches the end of its stroke as shown in FIG. 5, the follower engages the rise between well 318 and the dwell 317 to again swing the flap folding finger rearwardly and out of engagement with the carton ap.

In order to clear the succeeding carton, during retraction of the slide 84, the flap folding linger 301 is advantageously arranged as to automatically shift laterally out of the path of movement of the cartons before the slide is retracted. This is conveniently achieved by means of a lever 321 which is pivotally mo-unted at 322 on the bracket 119a. The lever engages the groove 305 in the pinion 304, and has vertically offset ngers 324 and 325 attached thereto. The lingers 324 and 325 are arranged to engage dogs 326 and 327 mounted on the side panel 58 alongside the track 315. The dog 326 is positioned in the path of movement of the finger 324 and, when the slide 383 is retracted the finger 324 engages the dog 326 to move the lever 321 and hence the flap :folding linger 301 outwardly away from the slide 83. The dog 327 is positioned at a level below the dog 326 and in the path of movement of the finger 325 and, as the slide reaches its extended position, the linger 325 engages the dog 327 and shifts the flap folding linger 301 inwardly toward the slide. Thus, the flap folding linger is moved outwardly into the path of movement of the cartons when the slide is retracted, and the finger pivots forwardly as the slide is extended to fold the trailing flap on the top of the carton. As the slide approaches its forward position, the nger 301 is swung rearwardly away from the carton and is simultaneously moved laterally toward the slide 84 and out of the path of movement of the carton so as to clear the succeeding carton during retraction of the slide.

Outlet transfer apparatus When the cartons reach the end of the carton supports 33, the lead and trail flap as well as one of the side flaps on both the top and bottom of the cartons have been folded inwardly. The `outlet transfer apparatus 39 is provided for moving the cartons crosswise of the support means 33 and past the `curved plates 296 and 263 to fold the other side aps downwardly. This transfer apparatus is best shown in FIG. 15 and while it may be of any suitable construction, it is conveniently formed by a cross slide 330 which is slidably supported at its lower end in a grooved bar 332 and at its upper end by a bracket 334 which engages a rod 335. A cross slide operator is provided for reciprocating the slide 330 and include a bell crank 336 pivotally mounted by a bracket 337 on the side panel S of the adjustable frame section 32. The crank has a bifurcated end which engages a pin 339 on the cross slide. With this arrangement, it will be noted that lateral adjustment of the side frame 32, for different size cartons, will simultaneously adjust the position of the bell crank 336 and hence the position of the cross slide 330. The cross slide is reciprocated in timed relation with the main transfer mechanism and, as best shown in FIGS. 4a and 5 is connected through a link 340 to a bell crank 341 pivotally mounted 0n a shaft 342 for movement about an axis transverse to the side panel 53 of the end housing. The shaft is supported on the front and rear walls 53 and 51 of the end housing and the crank 341 is slidable on the shaft to shift therealong as the `frame section 32 is laterally adjusted. The other leg of the crank 341 is connected through a link 344 to a lever 345. The lever 345 is pivotally mounted at 346 to the adjustable frame panel 58 and has a fol-lower 348 at the end remote from the link 344. The follower engages a cam track 349 attached to the slide 84, and which cam track is shaped to oscillate the lever 345 and move the cross slide 330 in timed relation with the main transfer mechanism. The slide plate 84 is shown in its retracted position in FIG. 4a and the follower 348 is disposed in the portion 349:1 of the track 349. As the slide is extended to the position shown in FIG. 5, the follower moves into the portion 34911 and swings the lever 345 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4a to the position shown in FIG. 5. The lever operates through link 344, crank 341, link 340 and crank 336 to retract the cross slide 330 as the slide plate 84 is extended. Conversely, as the slide plate is retracted, the cross slide 330 is extended to move the 14 carton 01T the support 33 and into the compressor unit 339.

The cross slide 330 has an upper carton engaging arm 351 which is fixed to the cross slide, and a lower carton engaging arm 352. The lower carton engaging arm is advantageously arranged for vertical adjustment relative to the upper arm, to accommodate containers of different height, and, as shown in FIG. 15, is vertically adjustably mounted on the cross slide 330 by a block 353 and spaced 4followers 354 which extend through a slot 355. The followers have rollers 356 on the inner ends thereof arranged to engage a rail 357 attached to the vertically adjustable channel 142 on the frame section 32 so as to raise and lower the arm 352 as the carton support is elevated and lowered. In this manner, the lower carton engaging arm 352 is maintained adjacent the level of the carton supports 33 as the latter are raised and lowered to accommodate cartons of different height.

Carton compressor unit As previously noted, adhesive is applied to the top and bottom side aps and the side flaps are folded downwardly as the carton is moved by the outlet transfer apparatus 39. The compressor unit 40 is arranged to hold the top and bottom flaps on the carton closed for a time interval sufficient to allow the adhesive to set and seal the cartons. The carton compressor unit is made vertically adjustable to accommodate cartons of different height and, in accordance with the present invention, is arranged as to be adjustable with the packaging machine. The compressor unit 40 advantageously includes upper and lower endless type conveyors 371 and 372 which are driven in unison with each other to positively advance the cartons while compacting the ends of the cartons. The upper endless conveyor includes a roller 374 mounted by a shaft 375 on the bracket 376 attached to the end housing. An elongated beam, herein shown in the form of an inverted U-shaped mem ber 378 is pivotally mounted at one end of the shaft 375 and has a drive roller 379 rotatably supported on a shaft 380 adjacent its other end. The endless belt 371 is entrained over the rollers 374 yand 379 and an adjustable belt tensioning roller 381 is conveniently mounted on the beam 378 to enable adjustment of the belt tension. A plurality of weight elements 383 are provided to apply pressure to the lower run of the belt 371. As shown, in FIGS. 15 and 17, the weight elements are pivotally mounted at spaced points along the beam 378, as by pins 384 and the weight elements span the space between the adjacent pins and have a hook portion 386 overlying the adjacent weight element to limit downward movement of the weight elements. As the cartons are advanced by the conveyor 371, the weight elements apply a yieldable pressure t0 the flexible belt and hence to the top of the cartons to yieldably close the same.

The lower conveyor 372 includes a drum 391 which is mounted on a shaft 392. The shaft 392I is supported by brackets 393 carried by the vertically adjustable channel 138 on the main frame section 31. The inlet end of the lower conveyor 372 is thus vertically adjustable with the carton supports 33 on the main conveyor so as to automatically accommodate cartons of different height. A generally U-shaped beam 394 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 392 and has a housing 395 at its other end which supports the conveyor drive roll 397 and the drive mechanism 42 for the compressor unit. The drive roll 397 is supported by a shaft 399 on the housing 395 and an idler roll 398 is also preferably provided to enable adjustment of the tension of the belt 372.

The compressor unit is driven from a motor 401 which motor is connected through a belt 402 to a speed reducer 403 having an output shaft 404. The output shaft is connected by a chain 405 to a sprocket 406 attached to the shaft 399 for the drum 397. The upper conveyor is driven in timed relation with the lower conveyor through an adjustable drive so arranged as to accommodate changes in spacing between the upper and lower conveyors, as required for cartons of different height. This drive includes a bar 409 which is swingably mounted at one end on the shaft 380 and which has an idler wheel or sprocket 410 rotatably mounted on a shaft 411 at its other end. A sprocket 412 is attached to the shaft 380 and a power take-off sprocket 413 is attached to the shaft 399 to be driven from the aforedescribed compressor unit drive. A chain 417 extends over the sprockets 410 and 412 and has one run looped over the power take off sprocket 413 and under idler sprockets 418 and 419 carried by the drive housing 395. With this arrangement, the upper conveyor 371 will be driven in unison with the lower conveyor by the common drive, and the upper and lower conveyors can be adjusted toward and away from each other.

As previously noted, the inlet end of the lower conveyor 372 is vertically adjustable with the carton support apparatus of the packaging machine. In accordance with the present invention, the outlet end of the conveyor 372 is made independently adjustable to discharge the cartons at a level suitable for subsequent handling operations, such as a further conveyor, a casing machine or the like. For this purpose, there is provided an upright generally U- shaped frame having spaced side members 4-21 and 422 and a cross member 423 at the upper end. The outlet conveyor is guidably received between the upright members 421 and 422 and is supported by spaced rollers 424 on a shaft 425. The shaft is adapted to be locked in any selected vertically adjusted position as by fasteners 426 which extend through slots 427 in the upright members 421 and 422 and engage locking blocks 428. The outlet end of the upper conveyor is also guidably received between the uprights 421 and 422 and is suspended by cables 429 which are wound around a shaft 430, and which shaft is rotatably supported at the upper ends of the uprights 421 and 422. A crank wheel 431 is attached to the shaft to enable raising and lowering of the outlet end of the upper conveyor, to maintain the upper conveyor 371 in substantial parallelism with the lower conveyor 372 and the shaft is adapted to be locked as by a locking screw 432. As shown in FIG. 19, a scale 434 and indicator 435 are advantageously mounted on the upper and lower conveyors, to facilitate relative vertical adjustment thereof.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the operation and construction of the device will be readily understood. The frame section 32 is laterally adjustable toward and away from the frame section 31 by turning of the crank wheel 79, to accommodate cartons of different cross-section. The carton supports 33 are arranged to overlap during lateral adjustment to enable the machine to handle narrow as well as very wide cartons. In addition, it will be noted that lateral adjustment of the frame 32 also adjusts the forward position of the cross slide 33t). The machine is adjusted for cartons of different height by turning the crank 151, which crank elevates and lowers the carton supports 33. The several lower carton engaging fingers are operatively connected to the carton support so as to be elevated and lowered therewith, while permitting free reciprocation of the carton engaging fingers during reciprocation of the slide. In addition, the lower carton engaging arm 352 on the cross slide and the inlet end of the lower conveyor 372 of the presser unit are also adjustable with the carton supports.

The stack supporting apparatus is made independently adjustable since the position of the stack supporting apparatus is controlled not only by the height of the cartons, but also by the size of the carton flaps. This adjustment is effected by turning of the crank 170 which elevates and lowers the platform 160 and by adjusting the frame 174 relative to the plate 161.

The main transfer mechanism including the slides 83 and 84 are reciprocated in unison to intermittently move carton through the packaging machine. The stripper fingers 91a and 91h move the end carton off the stack and into the erecting apparatus; the fingers 92a and 9211 move the next preceding carton from the erecting apparatus to the loading station; the fingers 93a and 93b move the carton from the loading station to the glue applying station; and the fingers 94a and 94b move the carton from the glue applying station to the outlet ends of the main conveyor. The cross conveyor is operated in timed relation with the main conveyor and is retracted during extension of the main conveyor and extended during retraction of the main conveyor to push the carton onto the compressor unit 49.

I claim:

1. In a packaging machine, the combination of a frame, container support means mounted on said frame for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, an elongated slide, means mounting said slide on said frame for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said support means to advance containers therealong, a plurality of container engaging lingers, means mounting said fingers on said slide at spaced points therealong for reciprocation with the slide and for limited vertical adjustment relative to the slide, means for vertically adjusting said container support means to accommodate containers of different height and means responsive to vertical adjustment of said support means for vertically adjusting said fingers relative to said slide.

2. In a packaging machine, the combination of a frame, container support means mounted on said frame for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, an elongated slide, means mounting said slide on said frame for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said support means to advance containers therealong, a plurality of container engaging fingers, means mounting said fingers on said slide at spaced points therealong for reciprocation with the slide and for limited vertical adjustment relative to the slide, and means operable while said slide is reciprocating for vertically adjusting said support means relative to said frame and for vertically adjusting said container engaging fingers relative to said slide to accommodate containers of different height.

3. In a packaging machine, the combination of a frame, container support means mounted on said frame for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, an elongated slide, means mounting said slide on said frame for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said support means to advance containers therealong, a plurality of container engaging fingers, means mounting said fingers on said slide at spaced points therealong for reciprocation with the slide and for limited vertical adjustment relative to the slide, and means for vertically adjusting said support means and said fingers to accommodate containers of different height, said means including an elongated trackway paralleling the path of movement of' the slide and a follower engaging said trackway for effecting vertical adjustment `of the support means and the fingers while permitting longitudinal reciprocation of the slide and fingers relative to the support means.

4. In a packaging machine, the combination of a main frame, container support means mounted on said main frame for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, an elongated slide, means mounting said slide on said frame for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said support means to .advance containers therealong, a set of upper container engaging fingers mounted `on said slide at spaced points therealong, a set of lower container engaging fingers, means mounting lsaid set 'of lower fingers on said slide at spaced points therealong for recipr'ocation with said slide and for limited vertical adjustment relative to the slide, and means operable while the slide is reciprocating for vertically adjusting said support means relative to said frame and for vertically adjusting said set 'of lower container engaging fingers rela- 17 tive to said slide to accommodate containers of dillerent height.

5. In a packaging machine, the combination of lirst and second laterally spaced frame sections; means for selectively adjusting the lateral spacing of said frame sections, container support means mounted on at least one of said frame sections for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, first and second elongated slides, means mounting said lirst and second slides lon said lirst and second frame sections for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said support means to advanoe containers therealong, a plurality of container engaging lingers, means mounting said lingers on said lirst and second Slides at spaced points therealong for movement with the slides and for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, and means operable while said slides are reciprocating for vertically adjusting said support means relative to said frame sections and for vertically adjusting said container engaging lingers relative to said slide to accommodate containers `of different height.

6. In a packaging machine, the combination 'of a main frame, container support means mounted on said main fra-me for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, an elongated slide, means mounting said slide on said frame for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said support means to advance containers therealong, a set of upper container engaging lingers mounted on said slide at spaced points therealong, a set of lower container engaging lingers, means mounting said set of lower lingers on said slide at spaced points therealong for reciprocation with said slide and for limited vertical adjustment relative to the slide, a cross slide mounted for reciprocatory movement crosswise of said container support means for moving containers oll the support means, said cross slide having an upper carton engaging arm, a lower carton engaging arm mounted on the cross slide for movement therewith and for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, and means for operating said elongated slide and said cross slide in timed relation with each other, and means operable while said slides are reciprocating for vertically adjusting said support means relative to said frame and for simultaneously vertically adjusting said set of lower container engaging lingers relative to `said elongated slide and said lower container engaging arm relative to said cross slide to accommodate containers of different height.

7. In a packaging machine, the combination of a main frame, container support means mounted on said main frame for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, an elongated slide, means mounting said slide on said frame for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said Support means to advance containers therealong, a set of upper container engaging lingers mounted on said slide at spaced points therealong, a set of lower container engaging lingers, means mounting said set of lower lingers on said slide at spaced points therealong for reciprocation with said slide and for limited vertical adjustment relative to the slide, a cross slide mounted for reciprocatory movement crosswise of said container support means for moving containers oli the support means, said cross slide having an upper carton engaging arrn, a lower carton engaging arm mounted on the cross slide for movement therewith and for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, and means for operating said elongated slide and said cross slide in timed relation with each other, means for vertically adjusting said support means relative to said elongated slide and said cross slide to accommodate containers of different height, and means operatively connecting said support means to said lower set of lingers on said elongated slide and to said lower arm on said cross slide for vertically adjusting said lower set of lingers and said lower arm with said support means while permitting free reciprocatory movement of said slides relative to said support means.

8. In a packaging machine, the combination of a main frame, container support means mounted on said main frame for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, an elongated slide, means mounting said slide on said frame for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said support means to advance containers therealong, a set of upper container engaging fingers mounted on said slide at spaced points therealong, a set of lower container engaging fingers, means mounting said set of lower fingers on said slide at spaced points therealong for reciprocation with said slide and for limited vertical adjustment relative to the slide, means for vertically adjusting said support means relative to said elongated slide to accommodate containers of dilierent height, means operatively connecting said support means and said set of lower container engaging lingers for vertically adjusting said lower set of lingers with said support means while permitting free reciprocation of said slide relative to said support means, an elongated container receiving conveyor, and means attaching one end of said receiving conveyor on said support means for vertical adjustment therewith.

9. In a packaging machine, the combination of a main frame, container support means mounted on said main frame for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, an elongated slide, means mounting said slide on said frame for reciprocation along a path generally paralleling said support means to advance containers therealong, a set of upper container engaging lingers mounted on said slide at spaced points therealong, a set of lower container engaging lingers, means mounting said set of lower lingers on said slide `at spaced points therealong for reciprocation with said slide and for limited vertical adjustment relative to the slide, means for vertically adjusting said support means relative to said elongated slide to accommodate containers of dillerent height, means operatively connecting said support means and said set of lower container engaging lingers for vertically adjusting said lower set of lingers with said support means while permitting ree reciprocation of said slide relative to said support means, an elongated container receiving conveyor, and means attaching one end of said receiving conveyor on said support means yfor vertical adjustment therewith, a container compressor apparatus including an upper endless type conveyor having one end attached to said frame at a level to engage the tops of the containers, a lower endless type conveyor having one end attached to said support means for vertical adjustment therewith, means for driving said upper and lower conveyors in unison, and means for selectively adjusting the relative spacing between the other ends of said upper and lower conveyors to maintain the adjacent faces of the -upper end lower conveyors substantially parallel.

10. In a packaging machine for handling cartons of the type having four body walls and closure liaps on the ends of the body walls, the combination of a main frame, elongated carton support means mounted on said frame for limited vertical adjustment relative thereto, a first carton transfer means extending alongside said support means for advancing cartons therealong, means adjacent one end of said support means for supporting a stack of liattened cartons, means on said lirst transfer means enga-geable with a carton on the stack for moving the same off the stack and for advancing the carton along said support means, means for adjusting said stack support means to receive cartons of different size and height, means lfor vertically adjusting said carton support means relative to said frame to accommodate containers of different height, means disposed alongside the path of movement of the cartons on said support means for erecting cartons and folding the carton liaps, a carton compressor comprising an elongated upper liap presser having one end attached to said frame and extending transverse to the path of movement of the cartons on said carton support means, an elongated lower llap presser extending below said upper presser and having one end attached to said carton sup- 

1. IN A PACKAGING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF A FRAME, CONTAINER SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR LIMITED VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT RELATIVE THERETO, AN ELONGATED SLIDE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID SLIDE ON SID FRAME FOR RECIPROCATION ALONG A PATH GENERALLY PARALLELING SAID SUPPORT MEANS TO ADVANCE CONTAINERS THEREALONG, A PLURALITY OF CONTAINER ENGAGING FINGERS, MEANS MOUNTING SAID FINGERS ON SAID SLIDE AT SPACED POINTS THEREALONG, A PLURALITY WITH THE SLIDE AND FOR LIMITED VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT RELATIVE TO THE SLIDE, MEANS FOR VERTICALLY ADJUSTING SAID CONTAINER SUPPORT MEANS TO ACCOMMODATE CONTAINERS OF DIFFERENT HEIGHT AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR VERTICALLY ADJUSTING SAID FINGERS RELATIVE TO SAID SLIDE. 